UPDATE: This product is no longer available. If you are looking for a great streaming media device consider my favorites:
Years ago I purchased a media player when they were still pretty new. Even back then I loved to be the first one to jump on the bandwagon. It was ok. It did not do much except stream media from my computer, and you had to jump through hoops using 3rd party software to stream media from the internet. It was buggy and froze up sometimes. And it just left much to be desired in what a great media player should be.
Since then of course media players have come a long way. Streaming your media is the “in” thing to do. Many companies have stepped up and created great products. I have reviewed a few. In this post, I will praise the Western Digital Live Hub.
The praise is for good reason. The WD TV Live Hub is an excellent media player. It allows you to stream Netflix, Blockbuster On Demand, Pandora, Live365.com, and even browse your Facebook account from your couch or bed. And Hulu Plus is coming soon! Media is streamed in full 1080p and looks fabulous. And there are at least 3 added advantages over some of the lower costs competitors: 1. The ability to stream your own media over your local network from another computer or network drive. 2. A built-in 1TB hard drive for storing media. 3. The ability to share that data over your network with other DLNA/UPnP devices. It also includes a USB port on the front and the back of the unit for plugging in an external USB storage drive from which you can then stream data , or copy data to the internal hard drive.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- HDMI interface
- Small attractive unit
- Great overall interface
- Gigabit Ethernet
Cons
- No built-in Wi-fi, but using a compatible wireless device or the WD Livewire Kit, the Hub can utilize wireless
- The Netflix GUI is still a bit hard to navigate, and there is no search. Some other devices such as the Roku have updated their interface to provide a much smoother experience
The WD TV Live Hub is the best Media Player that I have used so far. The built-in 1TB hard drive provides plenty of space to store photos, music and videos that allows the Hub to be used as a media server.
Couple this with a subscription to Netflix or Blockbuster On Demand and it is the perfect gift for movies buffs, anyone who loves to catch up on movies and shows, or someone who does not want to spend an arm and a leg on cable TV.
The Western Digital TV Live Hub can be purchased for $199. UPDATE: This product is no longer available.
Check out posts on these current products:
Western Digital My Cloud EX2100 Expert Series Review
Western Digital Passport Essential Review
WD My Cloud Review – Tips & Tricks For Organizing Your Digital Mess!
Disclosure: The WD Live TV Hub was provided to me for this review. All opinions are my own.
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